There are hopes a successful launch to the Moon today will lay the groundwork for future Mars missions. 

Artemis II's launch window begins at around midday New Zealand time, taking those on board further into space than ever. 

The 10-day manned mission around the moon is the first in more than 50 years. 

Astronomer Nikku Madhusudhan told Mike Hosking we will learn a lot from it. 

He says it's a three-day trip to the Moon, so it's a lot easier to test equipment and technology needed to go to Mars. 

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